Newcastle United are reportedly interested in FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to a report from Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle United have added Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa to their summer wish list, as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping options.
Costa’s contract, which runs until the summer of 2026, has a €60 million release clause. Porto would, however, entertain bids in the region of €40 million for their current No. 1 goalkeeper.
A product of FC Porto’s youth system, the 22-year-old made his first-team debut way back in 2019 and has racked up 68 first-team appearances for Porto, which is quite an accomplishment given his relatively tender age in goalkeeping terms.
But it was not until last season that he got a prominent role in the Dragões senior team. Costa was a vital cog in Porto’s title-winning machine that only lost once in the whole last campaign, featuring in 43 games and conceding 38 goals while keeping 17 shutouts.
Needless to say, the fully-fledged senior Portuguese international’s impressive performances have boosted his stock significantly, and he is now considered as one of Europe’s best goalkeeping prospects. Newly-minted Newcastle United are a serious contender to secure the 22-year-old’s signature this summer.
Newcastle United are likely to add significant reinforcements in the summer with the arrival of new owners, and signing a top-tier goalkeeper is high on their priority list as they are expected to part ways with backup goalkeepers Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman.
For the majority of this season, Martin Dubravka has been their first choice between the sticks. However, finding a younger first choice may be advantageous in the long run. Dubravka has expressed a desire to remain at the club. However, that might wind up being as an understudy should a high-profile goalkeeping prospect arrive at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle have been heavily linked with Dean Henderson from Manchester United to take his starting spot. The Magpies have been long-term admirers of the 25-year-old thanks to his one-year Premier League experience and, while positive talks are ongoing in the background, Porto’s Diogo Costa has now emerged as a potential option should a move for the Englishman fall through for some reason.
Costa is a modern goalkeeper; exceptional with the ball at his feet, an active, aggressive, front-foot sweeper and possesses good reflexes that allow him to pull off a few spectaculars and often comes out on top in one-vs-one situations. With Porto ready to accept offers below his €60 million release clause, a move to Newcastle might be on the cards.
